Circular Building Design &amp; Climate Management

ABSTRACT

Various aspects provide for ventilating a circular building, including an external wall of the building in the shape of a circular polygon, a plurality of vertical wall sections each forming a side of the polygon, each vertical wall section secured to an adjacent vertical wall section at a vertex of the polygon and a metallic frame for supporting the vertical wall section. A glass skin may be secured to the metallic frame of the vertical wall section, the glass skin including an exterior opening and a vent chamber configured for receiving air from the exterior of the building through the exterior opening in the glass skin. The vent chamber may include an interior opening for communicating air from the chamber into the interior of the building and a movable flap for controlling a flow of air through the vent chamber.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/331,161, filed on May 4, 2010 and titled “Roundhouse Technology (RHT), Building design and construction technology;” the present application is also a continuation-in-part and claims the priority benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/404,263 filed on Mar. 13, 2009 and titled, “Engineered Architecture,” the disclosures of the aforementioned applications being incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present application relates generally to circular building design and more particularly to ventilation of circular buildings.

2. Description of Related Art

A circular building may use glass as a siding material for exterior covering and structural support. Unfortunately, ventilation of the building is difficult because structural glass is difficult to move for opening and closing while maintaining strength of the structure.

SUMMARY

Ventilation of a circular glass building can be addressed using a ventilation chamber attached to the glass siding. Rectangular sheets of the glass siding may be used to form a panel or section of the exterior wall of the circular glass building. Each segment may provide a face of a circular polygon forming a perimeter wall providing structural support for the circular building. A metal frame may connect adjacent segments and provide support for the glass siding. An exterior opening in the glass siding may admit fresh air into the ventilation chamber. An interior opening in the chamber may provide the fresh air to the building. A flap may close the exterior opening and/or the interior opening. The flap may be adjusted to control the flow of air through the ventilation chamber. A screen may cover the exterior opening and/or the interior opening to prevent insects and debris from entering the building. The ventilation chamber may be supported using a frame or the glass siding. A ventilation tower disposed over a central portion of the building may draw air through the ventilation chamber.

Various embodiments of the present invention include a ventilation system for a circular building. Such systems may include an external wall of the building in the shape of a circular polygon comprising a plurality of vertical wall sections each forming a side of the polygon. Each vertical wall section may be secured to an adjacent vertical wall section at a vertex of the polygon. The vertical wall section may include a metallic frame. A glass skin including an exterior opening may be secured to the metallic frame of the vertical wall section. A vent chamber configured for receiving air from the exterior of the building through the exterior opening in the glass skin, may include an interior opening for communicating the received air from the vent chamber into the interior of the building. A movable flap may control a flow of air through the vent chamber. The system may further include a screen disposed at the interior or exterior opening. In some embodiments, the movable flap is configured to close the exterior or interior opening. A flat plate steel spandrel may be configured to support the vent chamber. The interior opening may be configured to direct a flow of air from the chamber upward into the interior of the building.

Various embodiments of the present invention include a circular building. Such circular building may include a substantially circular exterior wall in the form of a polygon. An exterior panel forms a face of the polygon, the panel including a glass skin and a metal frame and a ventilation chamber is disposed between the top and the bottom of the panel. An exterior opening in the glass skin is configured to admit exterior air into the chamber, and an interior opening in the chamber is configured to communicate the admitted air from the chamber into the interior of the building. A channel is configured to secure the chamber to the glass skin. A ventilation tower disposed above a center of the building is configured to draw air through the ventilation chamber. A fan may move air through the ventilation chamber.

Various embodiments of the present invention include a method for ventilating a circular building. Such method includes admitting exterior air through an exterior opening in a glass skin into a ventilation chamber supported on the glass skin, the glass skin supported on a metal frame and comprising a face of an exterior wall of the circular building, the exterior wall in the shape of a circular polygon. The method further includes communicating the admitted air from the chamber through an interior opening in the chamber into the circular building. The method further includes screening the communicated air and urging the air through the chamber and into the building using a ventilation tower. The method further includes adjusting a flap in the chamber to control a flow of the air through the chamber. Air may be directed from the chamber upwards through the interior opening into the building.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a round house, in accordance with aspects of the technology.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a frame for the round house of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a top plan view of the round house of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3B illustrates detail of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A illustrates detail of a portion of an exterior wall of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 4B illustrates detail of a panel of the exterior wall of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a side cross section view taken along line a-a of FIG. 4B, illustrating a vent of FIG. 4B, in accordance with aspects of the invention.

FIG. 5B is an enlarged side cross section view of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a cross section view of the ventilation tower of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6B is a cross section view illustrating additional details of the ventilation tower of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a top plan view of a dish of the ventilation tower of FIG. 6A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a round house 100, in accordance with aspects of the technology. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a frame 200 for the round house 100 of FIG. 1. The round house 100 is in general a circular polygonal building that integrates circular & rectangular geometries, that can be configured for use as residential structures, commercial buildings, community service buildings, private buildings, utility structures, office buildings, etc. As residential structures, round houses 100 can be used for single family homes, and multi family homes such as apartment complexes, townhouses, and condominiums. Internal rooms may be arranged in substantially rectangular and triangular shapes. FIG. 1 illustrates a single circular structure, however, the round house 100 may be used as a basis of multiple cells combined to form complex structures.

The round house 100 is based on an internal frame 200 and a circular peripheral wall 102. The frame supports a roof slab 104. The roof slab 104 may be fabricated from materials such as concrete and metal, such as steel and aluminum. An optional ventilation tower 106 is disposed on the roof slab 104. The ventilation tower 106 may be disposed over a center of the round house 100. An optional parapet or railing 108 is disposed around an edge of the roof slab 104. The peripheral wall 102 of FIG. 1 follows a shape that is substantially a circle. A circle can be approximated using a circular polygon of flat faces. As the number of faces increases, the polygon more closely approaches a circle. The circular polygon of the peripheral wall 102 of FIG. 1 is formed from multiple flat wall panels 110, each forming a chord of the circle. Each panel 110 is secured to and provides support for an adjacent panel 110. The circular shape formed by the multiple panels 110 enhances shear support and stability against earthquakes and wind. One of the panels 110 of FIG. 1 is illustrated as including a vent 120. While multiple panels 110 may include vents 120, for simplicity only one panel 110 is shown having the vent 120. In various embodiments, the peripheral wall 102 may follow other curved shapes that can be approximated using a polygon, for example, ellipse, super ellipse, oval, complex curves, etc.

The round house 100 includes the frame 200 for supporting the roof slab 104 and the panels 110 of the exterior wall 102. The frame 200 of FIG. 2 includes core columns 202, core beams 204, and peripheral beams 206 for supporting interior structures and the roof slab 104, and includes diagonals 208 for lateral bracing of the core columns 202. The frame 200 further includes perimeter columns 210, perimeter beams 212, and sill beams 214 for supporting the wall panels 110. The sill beams 214 may support the perimeter columns 210, which in turn support the perimeter beams 212. The sill beams 214 may provide support for the roof slab 104. In some embodiments, the sill beams 214 include vents. In various embodiments, the columns and/or beams are fabricated using metal, wood, concrete, glue-lam, plastics, and/or the like. Metals include steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, etc. The foundation (not illustrated) may support the sill beams 214 and/or core beams 204. A floor slab 220 may support the core beams 204 and/or the sill beams 214. In some embodiments, the floor 220 is constructed using standard joist and sheathing. A concrete slab may then be poured over the sheathing. Alternatively, the floor 220 includes a concrete slab may be poured on grade. The foundation may include concrete piers, walls, and footings (not illustrated). Four core columns 202 and sixteen perimeter columns 210 are illustrated in FIG. 2, however more or fewer core columns 202 and perimeter columns 210 along with an appropriate number of beams may be used in the frame 200.

FIG. 3A is a top plan view of the round house 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3B illustrates “Detail A” of FIG. 3A. A dotted line in FIG. 3A indicates “Detail A.” The views of FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a horizontal section through the round house 100 at about mid height along the exterior wall 102. The exterior wall 102 illustrated in FIG. 3A includes 64 wall panels 110 arranged in a circular polygon. Each wall panel 110 forms a side or face of the polygon approximating a circle described by the exterior wall 102. The each of the wall panels 110 may be secured to an adjacent wall panel 110 at a vertex of the polygon. While the wall panels 110 of FIG. 3B are illustrated as flat, the wall panels 110 may be curved or fluted. For example, the wall panels 110 may be convex and have a radius about the same as the radius of the round house 100, thus, forming a substantially perfect circle. Alternatively, the wall panels 110 are concave. A perimeter column 210 supports the wall panels 110 at intervals, for example, every four wall panels 110. The perimeter column 210 may be disposed at an intersection or vertex of two wall panels 110, as illustrated in FIG. 3B. While round house 100 of FIG. 3A is constructed in the shape of a circular polygon having 64 faces, the round house 100 may be constructed using more or fewer faces. A dotted line in FIG. 3B indicating “Detail B,” which is further illustrated in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4A illustrates “Detail B” of a portion of the exterior wall 102 of FIG. 3B. FIG. 4B illustrates detail of a panel 110 of the exterior wall of FIG. 4A. The exterior wall 102 includes a metal frame 402 that supports a skin 404 of glass plate for sheathing covering the panel. While plates of glass are illustrated for the skin 404, other materials may also be used, such as plywood, sheet metal, shingles, etc. A bead of metal or adhesive may be used for glass bearing 406 to secure the glass skin 404 to the metal frame 402. Two glass bearings 406 are illustrated in FIG. 4B, however, more or fewer glass bearings 406 may be used. A pair of vents 120 configured to admit exterior air into the round house 100 are disposed in the frame 402 of the panel 110. The vent 120 includes an interior opening 408. While two vents 120 are illustrated in FIG. 4B, more or fewer vents 120 may be disposed in the panel 110. Two panels 110 may be joined at a vertex 412. A spandrel 410 may be used for joining the panels 110 at the vertices 412.

FIG. 5A is a side cross section view taken along line a-a of FIG. 4B, illustrating a vent 120 of FIG. 4B, in accordance with aspects of the invention. FIG. 5B is an enlarged side cross section view of FIG. 5A. A dotted line in FIG. 5A indicates “Detail C” of FIG. 5B. The vent 120 includes a chamber 502 and an exterior opening 504 configured to admit exterior air into the chamber 502. The vent 120 further includes a flap 508 configured to control a flow of air through the vent 120. Optional curtains 506 provide shade for the panel 110. The curtains 506 have been omitted from FIG. 5B for clarity. While flap 508 of FIG. 4B is illustrated as positioned to close the interior opening 408, the flap 508 may be used for closing the exterior opening 504. In some embodiments, the flap is controlled using a motor under computer control. The computer may be configured to sense various parameters, including air flow, exterior temperature, interior temperatures, etc., and to adjust a position of the flap 508 to optimize air flow through the round house 100.

The interior opening 408 is illustrated in FIG. 5A as being disposed on an upper surface of the vent 120. However, in various embodiments, an interior opening 408 is disposed on a lower surface, a side surface and/or a rear surface (opposite the exterior opening 504) of the vent 120. A channel 510 attached to the vent 120 may secure the glass 404 skin to the vent 120. The glass skin 404 illustrated in FIG. 5B is double pane glass for providing insulation. However, single pane, triple pane, or more panes of glass may be used for the glass skin 404. The spandrel 410 may be fabricated from a flat plate of steel and extend between adjacent perimeter columns 210.

FIG. 6A is a cross section view of the ventilation tower 106 of FIG. 1. FIG. 6B is a cross section view illustrating additional details of the ventilation tower 106 of FIG. 6A. The ventilation tower 106 enhances a flow of exterior air into the round house 100 via the vents 120. The ventilation tower 106 includes a wind barrier 602. The wind barrier 602 may be covered using materials such as stucco, aluminum sheet, galvanized steel, fiberglass. A rigid polyester or foam core may provide insulation. The ventilation tower 106 may be secured to the slab roof 104. An optional chase 608 may support the wind barrier 602. An optional fan 610 is used for urging air from the interior of the round house 100 up through the ventilation tower 106. In some embodiments, a height of the tower 106 is about the height of the parapet or rail 108.

FIG. 6C is a top plan view of an optional dish 604 for the ventilation tower 106 of FIG. 6A. The dish 604 is disposed above the tower. The dish 604 may provide a venturi effect at the top of the tower 106 for drawing air from the interior of the round house 100. An optional mechanism 612 is used for raising and lowering the dish. The dish 604 may be raised to a height for controlling a flow of air from the round house 100, or lowered to seal the tower 106. In various embodiments the dish 604 is fabricated using fiberglass, polyester, rigid foam, aluminum, translucent materials, sheet metal, galvanized steel sheets. Structural ribs (not illustrated) may be used for reinforcing the shape of the dish. In some embodiments, the dish 604 includes a central opening 614, as illustrated in FIG. 6C. Alternatively, the central opening 614 is omitted from the dish 604, which comprises a continuous unbroken surface.

The embodiments discussed herein are illustrative and not restrictive. As these embodiments are described with reference to illustrations, various modifications or adaptations of the methods and/or specific structures described may become apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art. All such modifications, adaptations, or variations that rely upon the teachings of the embodiments, and through which these teachings have advanced the art, are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the present application. Hence, these descriptions and drawings should not be considered in a limiting sense, as it is understood that the present application is in no way limited to only the embodiments illustrated. It will be further understood that the methods of the invention are not necessarily limited to the discrete steps or the order of the steps described. 

1. A system for ventilating a circular building, the system comprising: an external wall of the building, the external wall in the shape of a circular polygon; a plurality of vertical wall sections each forming a side of the polygon, each vertical wall section secured to an adjacent vertical wall section at a vertex of the polygon; a metallic frame for supporting the vertical wall section; a glass skin secured to the metallic frame of the vertical wall section, the glass skin including an exterior opening; a vent chamber configured for receiving air from the exterior of the building through the exterior opening in the glass skin, the vent chamber including an interior opening for communicating air from the chamber into the interior of the building; and a movable flap for controlling a flow of air through the vent chamber.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a screen or filter disposed at the interior or exterior opening.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a metal column configured to support the vertical wall section.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the glass skin includes a panel of double pane glass, the double panes separated by a gas.
 5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a flat plate steel spandrel configured to support the vent chamber.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the movable flap is configured to close the exterior or interior opening.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the interior opening is configured to direct a flow of air from the chamber upward into the interior of the building.
 8. A building comprising: a substantially circular exterior wall in the form of a polygon; an exterior panel forming a face of the polygon, the panel including a glass skin and a metal frame; a ventilation chamber disposed between the top and the bottom of the panel; an exterior opening in the glass skin configured to admit exterior air into the chamber; an interior opening in the chamber configured to communicate the admitted air from the chamber into the interior of the building; and a channel configured to secure the chamber to the glass skin.
 9. The building of claim 8, wherein the polygon comprises at least 32 panels.
 10. The building of claim 8, further comprising a spandrel configured to support the vent chamber.
 11. The building of claim 8, further comprising a tubular column supporting a spandrel beam configured to carry the exterior panel.
 12. The building of claim 8, further comprising a spandrel beam extending from the exterior panel to an adjacent exterior panel.
 13. The building of claim 8, further comprising a ventilation tower disposed above a center of the building.
 14. The building of claim 13, further comprising a venture and a fan configured to move air through the ventilation tower.
 15. A method for ventilating a circular building, the method comprising: admitting exterior air through an exterior opening in a glass skin into a ventilation chamber supported on the glass skin, the glass skin supported on a metal frame and comprising a face of an exterior wall of the circular building, the exterior wall in the shape of a circular polygon; and communicating the admitted air from the chamber through an interior opening in the chamber into the circular building.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising filtering the communicated air.
 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising urging the air through the chamber and into the building using a ventilation tower.
 18. The method of claim 15, further comprising adjusting a flap in the chamber to control a flow of the air through the chamber.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the glass includes two panes separated by a gas.
 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising directing the air from the chamber upwards through the interior opening into the building. 